ECE Movement Curriculum · Preschool & Kindergarten

28 Ball Activities for Preschoolers: Rolling, Throwing, Catching & Kicking

Engage your preschool class with 28 illustrated ball activities and cooperative movement games adapted from decades of early childhood gross motor practice at Jenher. Use them for lesson planning, gross motor stations, and indoor or outdoor active play.

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Quick Teacher Guide: Ball Play in Preschool

Keep this checklist in mind when setting up any of the 28 activities below:

Developmental Readiness

Preschool & Pre-K. Use age as general context, then adjust distance, speed, ball size, and pathway complexity to each child's current control and confidence.

Ball Selection

Use lightweight soft vinyl (8–10 in) or high-density foam balls that children can comfortably grasp and control.

General Safety

Allow 4–6 feet of buffer space between active lanes. Do not throw toward faces or heads; use gentle passes toward a partner's hands or chest-level basket.

Group Management

Use small groups and multiple active stations so children spend less time waiting and more time practicing.

Illustrated Activity Cards

28 Preschool Ball Activities

Browse the activity cards below. Each card gives a short instruction beside the diagram. Expand Teacher Notes for setup, safety guidance, and ways to simplify or extend the activity.

Activity 4-1: Kick, Pass & Stop

Kick, Pass & Stop

Gently kick a soft ball along the floor to a partner and practice stopping an incoming ball with the inside or sole of the foot.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft foam or lightweight playground ball per pair or small group
Setup: Mark a clear floor lane with enough space behind each child to stop the ball.
Safety: Keep kicks on the floor and do not kick toward faces, bodies, or crowded areas.
Make It Easier: Tap the ball forward while walking slowly.
Make It Harder: Pass through a wide cone gate to a nearby partner.
Teacher Cue: "Gentle kick, watch the ball, and use your foot like a brake."
Activity 4-2: Ball Squeeze & Small Hop

Ball Squeeze & Small Hop

Hold a soft ball gently between the knees and try one small two-foot hop, or practice the squeeze while seated if hopping is not yet controlled.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft medium ball per child · Mat
Setup: Separate personal spaces with clear landing room.
Safety: Keep hops small and stop or return to standing if the child cannot land on two feet with control.
Make It Easier: Sit and hold the ball between the knees for a few seconds.
Make It Harder: Make 2–3 small hops with a full stop between each one.
Teacher Cue: "Hold the ball gently, make one little hop, and freeze on two feet."
Activity 4-3: Ball Around the Waist

Ball Around the Waist

Pass a ball from hand to hand around the waist while standing or sitting in a comfortable position.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft textured or playground ball per child
Setup: Floor spots with enough elbow room.
Safety: Use a comfortable ball size and keep both feet on the floor if balance changes during the turn.
Make It Easier: Practice seated.
Make It Harder: Reverse direction on a clap cue while staying on two feet.
Teacher Cue: "Pass the ball around your middle, then send it the other way."
Activity 4-4: Ball Circle Around the Feet

Ball Circle Around the Feet

Stand with a comfortable wide stance and roll the ball around the feet, bending the knees as needed to keep the back comfortable.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft ball per child
Setup: Widely spaced floor spots.
Safety: Keep eyes open and do not use blindfolded or eyes-closed ball-control challenges.
Make It Easier: Roll the ball in a half circle in front of the feet.
Make It Harder: Complete one full circle, stand tall, then reverse direction.
Teacher Cue: "Watch your ball travel around your feet and bend your knees when you need to."
Activity 4-5: Two-Hand Ball Turn

Two-Hand Ball Turn

Hold the ball in front of the body and rotate or turn it between both hands while seated or standing.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft playground ball per child
Setup: Seated or standing floor spots.
Safety: Use a ball the child can hold comfortably with both hands.
Make It Easier: Rest the ball on the lap while turning it with both palms.
Make It Harder: Stand and turn the ball while taking two slow steps, then stop.
Teacher Cue: "Use both hands to turn the ball slowly."
Activity 4-6 original head-slide diagram adapted to an arm-slide ball catch

Arm-Slide Ball Catch

Modern safety adaptation: place a very light foam ball near the upper arms and let it slide down the forearms into two open hands instead of rolling it over the head or face.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 very lightweight foam ball per child
Setup: Individual mat spaces.
Safety: Do not place or roll a ball across the child's face or head as a required skill.
Make It Easier: Roll the ball down two outstretched forearms while seated.
Make It Harder: Try the arm slide while standing with both feet stable.
Teacher Cue: "Make an arm ramp and catch the ball in your two-hand basket."
Activity 4-7: Figure-Eight Ball Roll

Figure-Eight Ball Roll

Roll the ball in a figure-eight path around the feet or legs while keeping the movement slow enough to follow with the eyes and hands.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 smooth soft ball per child
Setup: Personal floor spaces with no crossing traffic.
Safety: Let knees bend as needed and stop if the child becomes unstable while reaching low.
Make It Easier: Practice the figure eight while seated with legs apart.
Make It Harder: Complete one standing figure eight, stand tall, then repeat in the other direction.
Teacher Cue: "Roll around one side, through the middle, and around the other side."
Activity 4-8 original toss-and-360-catch challenge adapted to a toss, turn, and retrieve activity

Vertical Toss, Turn & Retrieve

Toss a soft ball gently upward, let it bounce if needed, turn the body to face a new direction, and retrieve the ball with control.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft foam ball per child
Setup: Large personal spaces with high ceiling clearance.
Safety: Do not require a fast spin-and-catch. Let the ball bounce or land while the child completes a controlled turn.
Make It Easier: Toss gently and catch without turning.
Make It Harder: Toss, make a quarter or half turn, let the ball bounce once, then retrieve it.
Teacher Cue: "Toss, turn slowly, find your ball, and pick it up or catch after a bounce."
Activity 4-9: Seated Ball Tap & Roll

Seated Ball Tap & Roll

Sit comfortably and explore gentle taps, small bounces, and rolls with the ball between the legs or across the lap.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft or inflatable playground ball per child
Setup: Individual mats or carpet squares.
Safety: Let knees bend freely and choose a ball that stays manageable in the seated space.
Make It Easier: Roll the ball across the lap from hand to hand.
Make It Harder: Alternate left and right gentle floor taps to a slow beat.
Teacher Cue: "Tap or roll the ball gently in your space."
Activity 4-10: Ball Play from Different Positions

Ball Play from Different Positions

Explore rolling, tapping, or bouncing a ball while standing, kneeling, or sitting, choosing positions the child can enter and leave comfortably.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: Soft textured or playground balls
Setup: Padded or clear open area.
Safety: Use position changes slowly and do not require a child to dribble continuously while moving from standing to kneeling.
Make It Easier: Roll the ball from sitting and standing.
Make It Harder: Bounce once, catch, change position, and repeat.
Teacher Cue: "Try your ball from a new body position, then come back to steady."
Activity 4-11: Partner Two-Hand Pass

Partner Two-Hand Pass

Face a partner and use a gentle two-hand push pass toward the partner's open hands or chest-level basket.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft ball per pair
Setup: Partners face each other on marked spots.
Safety: Pass toward the hands or chest-level basket and do not throw toward the face or head.
Make It Easier: Sit and roll the ball into the partner's lap.
Make It Harder: Take one small step back after several comfortable catches.
Teacher Cue: "Show your partner your basket hands and make a gentle pass."
Activity 4-12: Partner Bounce Pass

Partner Bounce Pass

Bounce one soft ball toward a floor spot between partners and let the receiver catch it after the bounce.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft bouncy playground ball per pair · Floor target
Setup: Partners face one another with one visible bounce spot between them.
Safety: Use one ball at a time until both partners can direct and receive the bounce safely.
Make It Easier: Roll instead of bounce.
Make It Harder: Alternate who sends the bounce pass without adding a second simultaneous ball.
Teacher Cue: "Aim for the floor spot and make a soft bounce to your partner."
Activity 4-13: High & Low Ball Paths

High & Low Ball Paths

Compare a gentle floor roll with a soft underhand toss, using one ball path at a time before switching roles.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft lightweight ball per pair
Setup: Partners use separate marked spots with a clear path between them.
Safety: Keep aerial tosses gentle and below face level when possible; use one ball at a time.
Make It Easier: Take turns rolling the ball.
Make It Harder: Alternate one roll and one gentle underhand toss on teacher cues.
Teacher Cue: "Low path rolls on the floor; high path makes a gentle little arc."
Activity 4-14: Over-and-Low Partner Pass

Over-and-Low Partner Pass

Partners stand or sit back-to-back and pass the ball around the side, overhead, or low between the legs one route at a time.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft ball per pair
Setup: Partner pairs on separate mats with comfortable spacing.
Safety: Keep overhead passes within a comfortable reach and let knees bend during low passes.
Make It Easier: Sit back-to-back and pass around one side.
Make It Harder: Alternate one side pass and one overhead pass slowly.
Teacher Cue: "Choose the safe path: around, over, or low."
Activity 4-15: Seated Foot Ball Roll

Seated Foot Ball Roll

Sit with knees straight or bent comfortably and use the feet to roll a soft ball back and forth on the mat.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft smooth ball per child · Mat
Setup: Individual seated spaces.
Safety: Use a comfortable seated posture and do not require straight knees or sustained leg lifting.
Make It Easier: Bend knees and roll the ball between the feet.
Make It Harder: Guide the ball in a small circle with the feet while hands remain available for balance.
Teacher Cue: "Use your feet to steer the ball along the mat."
Activity 4-16: Low Instep Balance

Low Instep Balance

Rest a beanbag or very light foam ball on the top of one foot while the heel or toes can stay close to the floor for quick balance recovery.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 lightweight beanbag or small foam ball per child
Setup: Open floor spots with arms free for balance.
Safety: Keep the foot low and put it down immediately if balance changes.
Make It Easier: Keep part of the foot touching the floor while balancing a beanbag.
Make It Harder: Lift the foot briefly for one count, then put it down.
Teacher Cue: "Make a little shelf with your foot and keep it close to the floor."
Activity 4-17 original forehead-contact diagram adapted to a balloon hand or forearm tap

Balloon Hand or Forearm Tap & Catch

Tap a balloon upward with open hands or forearms and catch it with both hands. This replaces the forehead-contact action shown in the original diagram.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 fully inflated balloon per child; adults inflate balloons and immediately discard broken pieces
Setup: Large clear indoor space away from fans and sharp objects.
Safety: Use a balloon only for this adaptation; do not teach repeated ball-to-head contact. Adults retrieve and discard all broken balloon pieces immediately.
Make It Easier: Adult releases the balloon within easy reach for one two-hand tap.
Make It Harder: Alternate one hand tap and one forearm tap before catching.
Teacher Cue: "Soft hands send the balloon up—watch it and make a two-hand catch."
Activity 4-18: Mat Log Roll with Ball

Mat Log Roll with Ball

Hug a soft ball to the chest and make a slow sideways log roll across a mat, one child at a time.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: Tumbling mat · Soft foam or plush ball
Setup: One-child mat lane with joined mat edges and clear sides.
Safety: Send one child at a time and stop if the child rolls off the mat or becomes dizzy.
Make It Easier: Make one half-roll from side to back and return.
Make It Harder: Complete one log roll, sit up, and place the ball into a nearby bin rather than combining with a standing toss.
Teacher Cue: "Hug the ball and roll sideways like a log."
Activity 4-19 original neck-to-back ball slide adapted to begin at the shoulder or upper back

Shoulder-to-Back Ball Slide

Modern adaptation: start a very light ball on one shoulder or upper back and let it slide down the back while the child reaches behind to find it.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 very lightweight soft ball per child
Setup: Standing or seated personal spaces.
Safety: Do not press a ball against the neck or require aggressive neck flexion.
Make It Easier: Adult rolls the ball gently from shoulder to lap while the child sits.
Make It Harder: Child reaches behind to stop the ball near the waist without bending deeply.
Teacher Cue: "Let the ball slide down your back and find it with your hands."
Activity 4-20 original tire pull ball carrier adapted to a lightweight basket or approved carrier

Ball Cargo Pull

Pull a lightweight basket or purpose-made floor carrier containing a soft ball along a short clear route.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: Lightweight basket or purpose-made pull carrier · Short soft handle · Soft ball
Setup: Smooth flat route with no stairs or door crossings.
Safety: No child riders and no heavy loads. If a tire is used, it must be clean, intact, free of exposed wire, and permitted by program policy.
Make It Easier: Pull an empty basket.
Make It Harder: Add one soft ball and one wide cone turn.
Teacher Cue: "Walk slowly so your ball cargo stays in the carrier."
Activity 4-21: Bounce-Catch Cone Path

Bounce-Catch Cone Path

Travel around widely spaced cones while bouncing once and catching, or dribbling only when the child can keep the ball and body in the lane.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft bouncy playground ball · 4–6 cones
Setup: Wide lane with generous cone spacing.
Safety: Use one child per lane and stop before chasing a ball into another lane.
Make It Easier: Bounce once, catch, then walk to the next cone.
Make It Harder: Use two controlled dribbles between cones, then catch.
Teacher Cue: "Bounce, catch, move to the next cone, and stay in your lane."
Activity 4-22: Under-Leg Ball Roll Line

Under-Leg Ball Roll Line

Children stand in a line with comfortable space and roll a soft ball backward along the floor through the open leg tunnel to the next child.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft ball per group
Setup: Small groups with enough space between children for a clear floor path.
Safety: Keep the ball on the floor and focus on turn-taking rather than race speed.
Make It Easier: Sit in a line and roll the ball backward beside the body.
Make It Harder: Roll through the leg tunnel and have the last child carry the ball calmly to the front.
Teacher Cue: "Make a tunnel and roll the ball gently to the next friend."
Activity 4-23: Overhead Ball Pass Line

Overhead Ball Pass Line

Pass a lightweight ball overhead to the child behind, using enough spacing that no one has to lean or reach into another child's head space.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 lightweight soft ball per group
Setup: Single-file line with generous spacing.
Safety: Children may pass around the side instead if overhead reach is uncomfortable; do not race the line.
Make It Easier: Pass while seated or around the side.
Make It Harder: After receiving at the end, walk the ball to the front rather than jogging through the group.
Teacher Cue: "Reach comfortably and pass the ball to the hands behind you."
Activity 4-24: Seated Foot-to-Foot Ball Pass

Seated Foot-to-Foot Ball Pass

Sit on mats and use the feet to nudge or guide a soft ball toward the next child, allowing hands to help whenever needed.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 soft medium ball per small group · Mats
Setup: Children sit with comfortable spacing and knees straight or bent as needed.
Safety: Let hands support balance and do not require straight legs or sustained abdominal lifting.
Make It Easier: Use hands to place the ball between the feet before nudging it toward the next child.
Make It Harder: Guide the ball from feet to a nearby partner without lifting it off the mat.
Teacher Cue: "Use your feet to help the ball travel to your friend."
Activity 4-25 original newspaper carrier adapted to a durable cloth carrier

Partner Cloth Ball Carrier

Two children hold the sides of a sturdy cloth or small play scarf and walk together while carrying a soft ball in the middle.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: Durable lightweight cloth or mini play scarf · 1 soft foam ball
Setup: Straight or gently curving clear lane.
Safety: Use walking pace and stop before retrieving a dropped ball that enters another pair's path.
Make It Easier: Use a larger cloth and walk a short straight route.
Make It Harder: Walk around one wide cone while keeping the ball on the cloth.
Teacher Cue: "Match your steps and keep the cloth level together."
Activity 4-26: Over-and-Low Group Pass

Over-and-Low Group Pass

Pass a soft ball through a small group using an alternating comfortable overhead or low route, with children choosing a side pass when needed.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 lightweight soft ball per group
Setup: Small lines with enough room for comfortable bends and reaches.
Safety: Let knees bend and offer a side pass if overhead or between-leg positions are uncomfortable.
Make It Easier: Teacher calls one route for the whole line at a time.
Make It Harder: Alternate two routes slowly without timing the group.
Teacher Cue: "Over, low, or around the side—choose the safe path."
Activity 4-27: Foam-Baton Ball Carry

Foam-Baton Ball Carry

Partners use two soft foam batons or a shallow tray to carry a lightweight ball along a short walking route.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 2 blunt foam batons or shallow handled tray · 1 lightweight ball
Setup: Short clear partner lane.
Safety: Keep baton ends below chest level and do not point, poke, or squeeze rigid objects toward a partner.
Make It Easier: Carry the ball on a shallow tray held by both partners.
Make It Harder: Use foam batons to guide the ball around one wide turn without increasing speed.
Teacher Cue: "Small steps together and gentle pressure on the ball."
Activity 4-28 original tummy-to-tummy ball carry adapted to a forearm or hand-supported carry

Partner Ball Carry with Forearms

Modern adaptation: partners face each other and support a large soft ball between their forearms or hands while taking a few matching side steps.

Teacher Notes: Setup, Safety & Variations
Equipment: 1 large lightweight soft ball per pair
Setup: Short clear route with widely separated pairs.
Safety: Use hands or forearms rather than requiring body-to-body squeezing. Stop immediately if either child wants more personal space or loses balance.
Make It Easier: Both partners hold the ball with two hands and walk side by side.
Make It Harder: Support the ball gently between forearms for 2–3 matching side steps, then stop.
Teacher Cue: "Keep the ball gently between your arms and stop together."
Frequently Asked Questions

Preschool Ball Play & ECE Teaching FAQ

Practical guidance on ball sizing, spatial safety, Head Start ELOF connections, and skill progression for early childhood teachers.

What size and type of ball works best for 3–5 year olds?
For preschool and Pre-K classrooms, consider soft vinyl playground balls (8–10 inches) or high-density foam balls that children can comfortably grasp with two hands. Softer, lightweight balls can reduce impact risk, but every activity still requires clear spacing, supervision, and age-appropriate product use.
How do I adapt these ball games for small indoor classrooms?
Focus on low-velocity rolling, seated straddle passing, body-circle rolls, and newspaper carrier relays. Use soft foam balls, establish clear boundary lines with painter’s tape, and move tables to perimeter walls to maximize open rug space.
Which Head Start Early Learning Framework domains do these activities support?
These activities can support the Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development domain, especially P-PMP 1 (control, strength, and coordination of large muscles) and P-PMP 2 (using perceptual information to guide movement and interaction with objects and people). See the official Head Start ELOF progression.
How can I prevent long line-waiting during group ball games?
Divide the class into small groups of 3 to 4 children with multiple active stations operating at once. In relay games, keep running distances short (10–15 feet) and give every child a clear role, such as retrieving balls, counting passes, or waiting on a marked ready spot for the next handoff.
What should I do if a child struggles with two-hand catching?
Step back in progression: start with seated ground rolling directly into the lap, progress to gentle bounce-passes with a larger textured ball, and cue the child to make a "big basket" with curved arms and hands rather than snatching at the ball in mid-air.
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